Zoologist Becky Cliffe is studying the cuddly critters for her PhD studies at Swansea University, having spent five years at the world-famous Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica.

During her time there animal lover Becky, 25, compiled data on a number of poorly and orphaned animals suffering from limb deformities and albinism.

These are genetic problems she believes are caused by pesticides sprayed on fruit crops and loss of habitat which has resulted in inbreeding.

She said: 'Many people love sloths and find them very cute and cuddly but they don't know what problems they're facing.

'As consumers people want to help but don't realise the impact of buying products which have been sprayed with pesticides. 'It's only until you go out to the rainforests that you see the affect it's really having.'

Becky is now sifting through the data as a part of a long-term investigation into sloth genetics and habitat in a bid to protect future generations.

She said: 'It was so hard to leave the jungle - I plan on going back out there. My dream is to set up my own sloth conservation foundation.'
A baby sloth called Onesie hangs on to the finger of a worker at the Costa Rican sanctuary as it takes a napSource